Vantaa light rail: Residents wish for a lively and characteristic light rail city
New “Residents’ Wishes for Light Rail City” report published to support planning of Vantaa light rail. According to the report, the residents wish for a lively and characteristic light rail city. The residents want the city to retain its history in the light rail city, so that unique and recognizable places could be emphasized.
According to the report, the residents view the Aviapolis major region, neighboring the airport, as an international gateway to Finland.
New Asukkaiden toiveet ratikkakaupungissa (“Residents’ Wishes for Light Rail City”) report is published to support planning of Vantaa light rail. The report consists of interaction materials—published and analyzed at an earlier stage—that were created during the past few years in the planning area of the light rail’s disposition plan, as well as in various planning projects related to the city as a whole.
According to the report, the residents wish for a lively and characteristic light rail city. A vivid light rail city offers services, green outdoor recreation areas, activities, versatile housing options, and easiness of mobility. The residents want the city to retain its history in the light rail city, so that unique and recognizable places could be emphasized.
“The residents think that the light rail city should be communal and look like the residents. The residents want their voices better heard in planning. The main idea of this report was to collect the opinions of more than 6,000 respondents, as well as to re-analyze the residents’ earlier thoughts about planning the light rail city. The results will be utilized in planning the light rail city,” tells planning intern Janni Honkavaara.
Historical perspectives wished for Tikkurila, more services for Hakunila, green areas for Aviapolis
The residents’ wishes also vary based on the major regions they live in. Tikkurila residents are of the opinion that it is important to emphasize the region’s history and to cherish the important small green areas. As far as residential building is concerned, potential is seen in high-rise and urban building without forgetting constructing lower buildings around the center. A more pedestrian-friendly center is emphasized in the wishes.
It is widely seen that the Hakunila major region, here and there, has the potential to develop into an urban and lively place while, nevertheless, cherishing its green areas. As a counterbalance to natural green areas, more managed parks are wished for the area. The residents desire more services and boosting of security and safety, for example, by increased lightning. Another wish is to strengthen the public-transport network to make mobility more flexible.
The Aviapolis major region is seen as an international gateway to Finland, which has the potential to develop into a showcase of Finland’s modern and urban building stock. The residents deem it important to flexibly tie the Pakkala and Kartanonkoski areas to the new environment. The area is seen to be a concentration of trade and workplaces that should be counterbalanced by a green and lively residential area. New pedestrian and cycling networks are required in the car-oriented area.
The residents’ wishes report consists of altogether 13 different interaction materials, compiled of the thoughts shared by a sum total of 6,078 respondents. Analysis of the material was conducted as a qualitative analysis from the perspectives of the different themes, and the results are indicative. The report was also published on the Vantaa light rail website, which also includes the 2021 Vantaa light rail's communication and interaction report.